Proposed additions to the Harborough District Council Local List of Non-Designated Heritage Assets
Former HSBC Bank, High Street, Market Harborough
Ref: MH/011
Construction Date: circa 1900
Architect: T. B. Whinney
Original Use: Bank
Current Use: Not in use
Condition: Good
Occupancy: Unoccupied
Ward: Market Harborough – Logan
Reason for Inclusion
Historic Interest
This bank was originally built around 1900 as a branch of the London City & Midland Bank, which was formed in 1898 following Midland Bank's takeover of City Bank. In 1992 the bank was taken over by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). Banks were built in great numbers in the nineteenth century to fuel the economy. The building of a new bank in Market Harborough around the start of the twentieth century reflects the nineteenth century expansion of the town.
Martin Johnson (former Leicester Tigers player who captained England to victory in the Rugby World Cup in 2003) was working at this branch in 1993 when he first played for the England rugby team. Later that year he was a try scorer in the final when Leicester Tigers won the Pilkington Cup and he was part of the British Lions rugby tour to New Zealand.
Architectural Interest
Designed by Thomas Whinney, this classical design in stone gives the building prominence in the street. In line with bank design of the period, the front façade is designed to portray confidence, reliability and security. Thomas Whinney won the Royal Society of British Architects (RIBA) essay prize in 1886 and he was the Diocesan Surveyor for Rochester (1894-1904) and Southwark (1904-1916). His principal secular work was for the Midland Bank. Several former Midland Bank branches designed by Whinney are nationally listed.
Associative Interest
- Economic history of Market Harborough
- Banking in the town
- Leicestershire sporting history